Time seemed to crawl for Marta. She glanced at her watch for the third time in as many minutes—7:03 p.m. Was time moving backward? It certainly felt like it.
She had spent the rest of her day wandering around Madrid. She and Luz had visited a few of Luz's former colleagues and enjoyed a leisurely coffee on a small café terrace.
"So, what are you and Fina doing tonight?" Luz had asked with a knowing smile. "You've had that dreamy, faraway look on your face all day."
Marta rolled her eyes, clicking her tongue in mock annoyance. "I don't know. I just want to spend time with her again," she admitted. Her gaze drifted skyward. "Although, there's a weather warning—heavy rain later."
"Perfect excuse to stay cozy in your suite," Luz teased with a wink.
Marta had laughed. "Maybe."
Now, a few hours later, Marta was fresh out of an "everything shower." She'd taken her time moisturizing, her thoughts lingering on Fina and what the night might bring. Where it might end up.
The attraction was definitely mutual—she was sure of it. Fina seemed sweet, funny, and drop-dead gorgeous. Maybe Luz was right: it was time to put herself back out there. Spending a night together wasn't a marriage proposal. Marta turned the thought over as she finished her skincare routine.
I'll take the jump tonight, she decided. If it works out, great. If not, well... no harm, no foul. We probably won't cross paths again anyway.
She pulled on loose black cotton trousers and a deep black V-neck top. The fit was relaxed but flattering—it showed off her toned arms, and she'd noticed Fina sneaking glances at them more than once. Marta smirked at the thought.
Before heading out, she took a quick look around her suite, tidying up to make sure it was presentable. A quick ruffle of her fingers through her hair gave her soft waves just the right amount of effortlessness.
Another glance at her watch—7:45 p.m.
Close enough
She grabbed her phone and room key, took a steadying breath, and made her way downstairs.
---
Fina was putting the finishing touches on her makeup in the bathroom while Carmen and Claudia lounged on her bed, watching her get ready. They had finished up early at the auditorium and thankfully had managed a few hours rest.
"Are you nervous?" Claudia asked. "I mean.......she's even more attractive up close."
Fina laughed as she applied a swipe of nude lip gloss, then tossed her hair back over her shoulders.
"Oh, I've noticed, Clau. Believe me, I've noticed." She turned toward the main room, where she was met with exaggerated applause and whistles from both friends.
"Beautiful!"
"Gorgeous!"
Fina was dressed in black jeans paired with ankle boots and a black-and-white polka dot shirt. She'd left a few buttons undone and rolled her sleeves halfway up for a casual yet chic look.
"Girls, I won't lie. I'm a little nervous," she admitted with a grimace. "I keep replaying last night's date in my head, and I can't believe I was so clueless about the signs."
"Use that to your advantage," Carmen said confidently. "You know she's interested in you, and you're interested in her. What's there to worry about? Wham bam"
Fina hummed in agreement. "You're right. I'll just let myself go and see what happens."
"That's my girl," Claudia said with a grin.
"Do you know what you're doing tonight?" Carmen asked. "Let's see how Doña Marta plans to top last night."
"I'm sure she tops," Claudia quipped, bursting into laughter.
"Enough, you two!" Fina cried, laughing along with them. "You're not helping me calm down."
She glanced at her phone—7:45 p.m. "I'd better head out before you put any more wild ideas in my head."
"Fina, take a jacket!" Carmen called after her. "I don't like the look of the sky. The heavens are bound to open later."
Grabbing her jacket, Fina headed for the door. "Don't wait up!" she called back with a laugh.
"Go get her, tiger!" Claudia shouted making a claw motion with her hand as the door closed.
Carmen turned to her friend with a raised eyebrow. "Tiger? Really? You need to come up with some new lines, my friend no wonder you are single."
---
Marta made her way to the hotel bar. It was busier than usual—much more so than yesterday at this time. She supposed it had to do with the weather. A steady stream of rain had begun and showed no signs of stopping. Cradling her glass of cognac, she headed toward the seating area they'd occupied the previous night.
"Starting strong tonight, are we?" a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Marta glanced up to find Fina leaning against one of the chairs, a playful smile on her lips.
"Maybe we are," Marta replied with a smirk as she stood to greet her. "Hello," she added, placing a hand lightly on Fina's waist and pressing a kiss to her cheek—a subtle echo of last night's exchange.
Fina's breath hitched at the contact. We are starting strong tonight, she thought, her smile softening as Marta's face came back into view.
"Hi," she replied, her voice slightly breathless.
"Shall we sit?" Marta gestured toward the seats while motioning for a passing waiter to bring Fina a drink.
Their eyes met as they settled into their chairs. The air between them buzzed with an almost tangible energy.
"It's busy, huh?" Fina remarked, glancing around the room.
Marta hummed in agreement, her gaze lingering on Fina's side profile. "I think it's because the weather. The air is thick, it's to pour with rain later."
"There's definitely something in the air," Fina said quietly, her eyes flicking briefly to Marta's hands—long, graceful fingers curled around her glass. When she looked up again, Marta was smirking, having caught her staring. Fina's drink arrived just in time to give her an excuse to look away, her throat suddenly dry.
The moment eased as their conversation flowed naturally, with Fina recounting the rest of her day at the conference. As the bar grew busier, the rain outside turned into a relentless downpour.
Marta glanced at the windows behind Fina and wrinkled her nose. "Looks like we're stuck here. I'd thought about trying out a new sushi place nearby, but I don't want to brave the weather."
Fina turned to look at the rain battering the pavement. "At least the hotel restaurant is nice," she offered with a smile.
They decided to head across the lobby to the hotel restaurant, hoping to find a table before the other guests had the same idea. Luck was on their side—a secluded table for two awaited them, though the restaurant was quickly filling up.
